The Manual Lifting Policy

Improper lifting can cause back injuries.

There is no single regulation that establishes a weight limit for manual lifting by a man or woman. Employers are only responsible for providing a hazard-free workplace. Several organizations offer guidelines recommending maximum manual lifting limits.

Background

Workplace injuries to the back continue to generate formal study by various organizations. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists have each issued manual lifting recommendations. The Occupational Safety and Health Organization has also drafted recommendations for safe manual lifting.

Manual Lifting Ranges

NIOSH recommends the maximum manual lifting weight as 51 pounds. ACGIH increases the recommended maximum to 70 pounds. In either case the weight limit is based on a number of factors. Men and women will have different weight lifting limits.

Manual Lifting Variables

The amount of weight that someone can lift decreases when the weight is below the knees or above shoulder level. More weight can be lifted close to the body than with the arms extended. The number of times that a weight is lifted in a given time period changes the weight limit recommendations. Body size, age and sex also factor into the variables. Calculators for analyzing lifting operations are widely available and should be consulted whenever manual lifting occurs in the workplace.

References

• Liberty Mutual: Liberty Mutual Tables for Lifting, Carrying, Pushing and Pulling
• Work Safe BC: Lift and Lower Calculator
• Washington State.gov: Is there a limit to the weight that workers can be asked to lift on the job?
• Washington State,gov: Calculator for analyzing lifting operations

Resources

• Liberty Mutual: Manual Materials Handling Guidelines